If the legislative body of a city by a resolution adopted by a four-fifths vote of its members, determines that any improvement of streets within the boundaries of the city is of more than local benefit and that the assessments levied against the property fronting on the street improvement or in the assessment district are unjust and in excess of the benefits derived from the improvement, public money may be appropriated to reduce such assessments.
Chapter 3Assessment Relief
Section § 1900
This law allows a city's legislative body, with a majority vote of four-fifths of its members, to decide if a street improvement benefits more than just the local area. If they find that the assessments charged to nearby properties are unfair or higher than the value they receive, they can use public funds to lower these assessments.
street improvement local benefit public money appropriation unjust assessments excessive assessments property fronting assessment district reduce assessments four-fifths vote legislative body decision city boundaries benefit determination public funds street assessments excess benefits
Section § 1901
This law section explains how a resolution to lower financial assessments for a specific improvement project should be handled. It requires the resolution to clearly identify the project and specify both the amount of money involved and the funding source.
A resolution to reduce assessments pursuant to this chapter shall refer to the improvement as designated in the assessment proceedings, state the amount of money to be appropriated and the fund or funds from which it is to be paid.
reduce assessments improvement designation assessment proceedings project funding source appropriation amount financial assessments resolution requirements assessment reduction process specified improvements fund allocation appropriation fund assessment reduction resolution money appropriation project assessment reduction improvement project funding
Section § 1902
This section deals with how funds (appropriations) can be used under this law. It allows for two main uses: First, to help lower special assessments—these are extra taxes charged to property owners who benefit from public projects—like roads or improvements in their area. Second, the funds can be used to pay off or manage debts related to money borrowed for buying land or building streets and related infrastructure in the city.
Appropriations may be made pursuant to this chapter for the following purposes:
(a)CA Streets and Highways Code § 1902(a) To reduce special assessments and special assessment bonds levied and issued against real property fronting upon the public improvement or in the district estimated to have been benefited thereby.
(b)CA Streets and Highways Code § 1902(b) For the payment of any portion of the principal or interest of, or for the purchase and redemption at a discount of, or the transfer to the interest and sinking fund for the discharge and payment of bonds, the proceeds of which have been used for the acquisition of rights of way or easements for, or for the construction, maintenance, improvement, or repair of streets, bridges, or culverts within the city.
special assessments public improvements bond redemption principal payment interest payment debt management property fronting municipal bonds streets maintenance bridges repair culverts construction rights of way acquisition easements interest and sinking fund city infrastructure financing
Section § 1903
This law section explains that a city's money can be used for street-related projects.
Funds can come from any city budget set aside for building, maintaining, fixing streets, or acquiring land needed for these roads.
It's flexible, allowing use of different available funds to support street projects.
An appropriation under this chapter may be made from any fund of the city which may be used for the construction, maintenance, improvement, or repair of streets, or for the acquisition of rights of way therefor, or from any other fund available for the purposes of this chapter.
city funding street construction maintenance funds improvement budgets street repair rights of way acquisition municipal budget infrastructure funding city projects urban planning public works transportation budgets city infrastructure road maintenance construction financing
